Trolling and casting reel



Oct.`2'6, 1937'. l we. LA PIERRE 2,097,295

vTRLLING AND CASTING REEL Filed Jurie 22, 19:55 4 2 -sheets-sheetl Z 1610 13239?? f6 l 28 f2.9 3 l z 20 v 4 r ",v @d i 7 .9 z3 l 1%! 4 49 Z53-- u yM16 50 [1 3,4 4f 5g: I' I 36 57 E/' 7 Davey/101i 38 l 4 mlllamLallezfnB 39 K r a A Oct. 26, l1937. w. G. LA PIERRE TROLLING ANDCASTING REEL Filed June 22, 1935 2y sheets-sheet 2 Patented Oct. 26,1937 UNITE s'raras anni eArENT oFFiE Application .lune 22,

21 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in casting reels of the freespooled type.

Many interesting developments have been made in casting reels which haveresulted in their widespread use. This has been due to the provision ofmechanisms insuring the level winding of the line and the prevention ofback lashes when a cast is made. These features, while permittingsuccessful use of this type of equipment by those lacking skill andexperience, have had the objectionable feature of limiting further theeiciency of the reel.

The experienced and expert fisherman usually adapts his fishingtechnique to his characteristics. This may be evidenced by such extremeexamples as the tendency to stress distance in casting or the tendencyto use the lightest equipment consistent with the general types of gamefish sought.

I have provided a reel, which, while serviceable for all purposes, isparticularly adapted to satisfy all requirements of experts. I haveprovided a reel in which, when desired, the reel is completely freedfrom vall driving or driven mechanism permitting the other equipmentused to determine the maximum casting distance. This is effected byproviding a clutch to connect the spool with the driving mechanism. Thisclutch may be adjusted to slip at any predetermined pull on the line notonly preventing line breakage when the line is snagged, but also makingit possible to use a light rod and line without the probability ofstraining the equipment. A secondary mechanism is adapted to be pickedup by the driving mechanism when actuated to pay out line. This:mechanism disengages the first clutch and it may be adjusted to controlthat clutch as desired so that provision may be made for an innite rangeof operating or fishing conditions.

It will be appreciated that I have suggested these conditions broadly,and while, as above stated, having special reference to the requirementsof experienced and expert anglers, my invention is equally effective ifused for general puIpOSeS.

In the drawings I have shown and in the specification described anembodiment of my invention and throughout the drawings and specication,like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partly sectioned iront view of a reel embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a section through my reel along the lines 2--2, of Fig. 1.

1935, Serial No. 27,903

Fig. 3 is a view showing in detail the clutch connecting the spool andthe driving mechanism.

Fig. 4' is a section through the reel along the line 4 4, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partly sectioned View of the clutch releasingmechanism alongthe line 5 5, of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a partly sectioned View of a lock by which the clutchreleasing mechanism may be controlled.

In Fig. l I have shown a typical reel consisting of a frame I to whichare secured the plates 2 and 3. The plate 2 is provided with anadjustable bearing indicated at 4 for the shaft 5 of the spool 6 whichis provided with concave flanges 'I. The plate 3 is apertured to receiveone of the flanges 'Iwhile the shaft 8 of the spool 6 is supported bythe bearing 9 which is threaded through the head plate IIJ foradjustment. 'I'he head plate I is supported as by the wall I I holdingthe head plate I Il to the plate 3.

I have not described in detail my reel as to its general constructionfor it will be understood that the construction is generally similar tostandard types. That is, while I have shown a gear A on the shaft suchas may be used to provide a desired click mechanism, as this plays nopart in my invention and is not necessary for its appreciation, I havenot shown or described it fully.

The spool driving mechanism As is shown most clearly in Fig. 3, I mounton the bearing 9 an independently rotatable sleeve I2 which includes agear portion I3 and a threaded portion I4 on which is threaded a gearI5.

The ilange 1 is provided with ksplines I6 which hold clutch discs I'land I8 against rotation. The discs I1 and I8 are loosely mounted on thesleeve I2, but are adapted to be rotated therewith as will presently beexplained.

A slidable plate I9 having a anged hub 20 is adapted to bear against theclutch disc I'I which is separated from the disc I8 by the plate 2|while a cap 22 is threaded on the end of the sleeve l2 and held by thesplines 23 in the grooves 24 in which the plates IS and 2| are fitted topermit them to slide, but preventing their rotation so .that anengagement of the members may be eiiected to turn the spool 6 with thesleeve I2. The discs are provided with suitable springs 25 (see Figs. 1and 2).

A spring 26 is positioned between the gear I5 and the hub ZI! while aspring 2'I keyed to the sleeve vI2 is adapted to hold the gear I5 in anydesired Pim The gear I5 may be positioned to adjust the tension of thespring 26 to secure a desired engagement of the clutch members. Thiswill generally be such an engagement as will be effective to permitslippage of the clutch on a predetermined pull on the line. The tensionof the spring 21 may be varied by pulling out the head 28 ofthe shaft 29carrying the gear 3|) until the gears 36 and I 5 are in mesh. The shaft29 is supported in a guide block 3| on the inner surface of the headplate I0. A spring 32 between the block 3| and the gear 3U carries thegear 30 out of position after adjustments have been made, While theiiange 33 ensures proper meshing of the gears I5 and30 when the head ispulled out.

A hub 34 on the head plate'lis apertured to receive the shaft 35 towhich the handle 36 is secured. The shaft 35 carries the mesh with thegear I3.

`Thecluifch releasing or secondary mechanism 'The gear 3`1 `is providedwith a recess inv which I position a member 38. The member 38 is adaptedto be rotated with the gearr 31When the gear is-rotated topay out line(counterclockwse as viewed inFig. 2).

Y'42 internally threaded to receive a bolt member 43 to which is pivotedthe lever 44 fulcrumed as atA 45tothe 'Wall I I. YThe lever 44 isYforked to lie between the ange of the'hub 20 and the plate I9.

As may be most clearly seen in Fig. 5, a frame '7:46v is secured to theinner surface of the head plate` Il).Y The'frame 46 slidably carries abrake member 41 apertured to permit the free rotal Ytio'n'of the hub 42and recessed at 41a so that it will contact the gear 31and not affectthe member 38. A thrust Washer 411? is positioned be- `tween the member38 and the brake member 41.

Thebrake member 41 and the collar 48 arel pro- Vvided VWith camsurfacesindicated as at 49, that are adapted to be interengaged so that after apredetermined partial rotation of the collar148,

' which has a square aperture to cause rotation with .(Fig. 1)comprising the clutch plates I1, I8, 2|,

the cap 22 and the slidable plate I9 Which now acts as a brake. Theextent of the clutch disengagement will depend on the extent to whichthe'bolt 43 has been drawn into the member 38.

Tol permit this action to be controlled as desired I have hinged a plate56 to the frame 46 as at 5|:

The plate'50 is apertured to overlie the hub 42 and to bear againstv thecollar 48. The other end of the plate is provided with a swivel indi- Yv cated as at 52 connecting it to a shaft 53 threaded through the headplate I8 so that the position 'of the collar`48 may be varied on the hub42 .to effect a desired engagementA of the cam surfaces 49.

A coiled spring V54 anchored to the plate 50 .between Vthe frame 46 andthe plate 56 is secured to the bent arm 55 of the collar 48 so that asthe collar'48 is rotated, the spring 54 is vtightened and when themember 38 is freed by turning the handle to rotate the gear 31 inadirection effecgear 31 inv rspool 6 is rotated topay out line.

tive to reel in the line, the spring 54 will rotate the member 3B andrestore the lever 44 to its original position.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a lock to prevent the clutch member 38 frombeing actuated by rotation of the gear 31. The member 38 is recessed asat B adjacent the ends of the bores 39 and in the recesses B the latches56 are pivoted. A cam member 51 is adapted to carry the latches 56 intoor out of position to confine the balls 4Q Within the bores 39 dependingon Whether the cam 51 is turned.' to the right or to the left. The cammember 51 is formed with recesses 58 for the ends of the latches 56 andrecesses 59 into which the spring catches 60 are adapted to enter whenthe cam 51has been turned to the desired position. The member 51 isprovided with a shaft 6| that may extend through an opening in the shaft35 for the handle 36 and may be provided with a handleto turn the shaft6| to facilitate the control of the latches 56.

In considering the operation of my. invention it will be assumed thatthe shermanhasadjusted themain clutch connectingthe sleeve |2 to thespool v6 so vthat it will slip on a predetermined pull. 'It Will also beassumed that the member 53 has beenadjustedfso that the clutch releasingmechanismhas been adjusted to free the spool 6 completely from thedriving mechanism when the mechanism includes the crank 36, the gear 31,the gear I3, and the sleeve I2 on which the main clutchis carried. Theclutch releasing or secondary mechanism includes the lever 45, the shaft(43, the. collar'43, and the spring 54 rotating the collarf48 and theshaft 43 to effect a reengagem-ent of the main clutch and the hingedplateu5|l positioned by the member 53 to control theposition of thecollar 48 to secure a desired engagement of the cam surfaces indicatedat 49 on the collar 48 and the brake member 41.

`Ihe operation of the clutch releasing mechanism may most clearly beunderstood by a consideration of the operation of my invention lwhen' acast is made. picks up the member 38 through the one Way clutches andthe boltf43 is drawn in to cause the -lever-44 to disconnect the mainclutch. The

rotation of the member 38 also rotates its collar 48 causingan interlockof the cams 49 and a thrust of the brake member 41 against the gear 31.That is, while the spring 54 will return the clutch releasing mechanism,a brake is provided which is released only by turning of the handle in adirection to reel in line.

When line is being reeled in, or the clutch releasing mechanism isdisconnected from the gear 31 and the handle is held, the main clutchwill slip on a predetermined pull, such as that exerted by a heavyfsh,or that caused by the hook having become snagged.

It Will thus be'seen that either turning the handle to the left orpulling out line is effective to actuate the clutch releasing mechanism,the

adjustment of which will determine Whether or 1 not thespool will beentirely freed'. If the clutch is to Y be Yautomatically released as thecast is made, the spool, first retarded by driven mechanism, is rapidlyfreed so that its speed of rotation Will depend more entirely on thespeed of the object cast.

The driving 'I 'he gear 31 immediately Lil be turned to reel in the lineat any time as' the f clutch will slip if the strain on the line isexcessive and as the clutch releasing mechanism may be locked' out ofoperation, I am able to provide a reel useful for general purposes aswell as permitting maximum casts and minimizing strains on rod and line.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, said clutch comprising discs substantially the size of andsplined to one of the flanged ends of said spool, and members slidablycarried by said mechanism in position to engage with said discs, a headon said mechanism, a spring urging said members into engagement withsaid discs and with said head, and adjustable means adapted to vary thetension of said spring as desired'.

2. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, said clutch comprising discs substantially the size of andsplined to one of the flanged ends of said spool, and members slidablycarried by said mechanism in position to engage ywith said discs, a headon said mechanism, a spring urgingv said members into engagement withsaid discs and with said head, and means to disengage said clutch.

8. In a fishing reeLYa spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, and a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch,said mechanism including a clutch adapted to be engaged by saidmechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said line, and anadjustable brake adapted to hold said clutch when said first namedclutch has been affected as desired.

4. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, and a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch,said mechanism including a clutch adapted to be engaged and rotated bysaid mechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said 1in-e, ashaft threaded in said second named clutch, a lever adapted to beactuated by said shaft to disengage said i'lrst named clutch when saidshaft is drawn into said Second named clutch by rotation thereof, and abrake adapted to control the rotation of said second named clutch.

5. In a shing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, and a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch,said mechanism including a clutch adapted to be engaged and rotated bysaid mechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said line, ashaft threaded in said second named clutch, a lever adapted to beactuated by said shaft to disengage said rst named clutch when saidshaft is drawn into said second named clutch by rotation thereof, and anadjustable brake adapted to control the rotation of said second namedclutch whereby said rst named clutch may be affected as desired.

6. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, and a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch,said mechanism including 'a' clutch adapted to be engaged and rotated bysaid mechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said line, ashaft threaded in said second named clutch, a lever adapted to beactuated by said shaft to disengage said rst named clutch' when saidshaft is drawn into said second named clutch by rotation thereof, and abrake adapted to control the rotation of said second named clutchwhereby said first named clutch may be affected as desired, and means toreturn said shaft and said lever when said spool is `rotated to reel insaid line.

7. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch, saidmechanism including a clutch adapted to be engaged and rotated by saidmechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said line, andmeans adapted to Vbe manually positioned to lock said last named yclutchagainst said engagement.

8. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch, saidmechanism including a clutch adapted to be engaged and rotated by saidmechanism when actuated to cause said spool to unwind said line, meansadapted to be manually adjusted to lock said lastnamed clutch againstsaid engagement, and means adapted to actuate said mechanism to causethe engagement of said rst named clutch when said second named clutch isreleased from engagement.

9. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a

clutch adapted to connect said spool and said mechanism, a secondarymechanism adapted to disengage said clutch, said mechanism including a,clutch adapted to be engaged and'rotated by said mechanism when actuatedto cause said spool to unwind said line, means adapted to be manuallyadjusted to lock said last named clutch against said engagement, meansadapted to actuate said mechanism to cause the engagement of said rstnamed clutch when said second named clutch is released from engagement,and manually adjustable means for varying the action of said secondarymechanism.

10. In a fishing reel, a spool Afor the line, a crank controlledmechanism for rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect saidspool and said mechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to aiTect saidclutch to permit said spool to rotate as freely as desired, and meansadapted to connect said mechanisms on rotation of said spool or saidcrank effective to pay out line.

1l. In a, shing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to affect said clutch to permitsaid spool to rotate as freely as desired, and said mechanisms inciudinga one-way clutch effective to interengage and actuate said secondarymechanism on rotation of said spool or said crank effective to pay outline.

l2. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlledmechanism for rotating said spool, an adjustable clutch adapted toconnect said spool and said mechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted toaffect said clutch, mea-ns adapted to connect said mechanisms onrotation of said spool and said crank effective to pay out line, andadjustable meansin control of said second named mechanism tocausesaidsecond named mechanism to affect said clutch as desired inrelation to adjustments of said clutch whereby the line paying outrotation of said spool may be subjected to two different bases ofcontrol as determined by the angler.

13. In a shing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool and saidmechanism, a secondary mechanism vadapted to affect said first namedclutch to permit said spool to rotate as freely as desired, said lastnamed mechanism including a brake to limit the actuation of said lastnamed mechanism, and means adapted to connect said mechanisms onrotation of said spool or said crank effective to pay out line.

14. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line; a crank controlledmechanism for rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect saidspool and said mechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to aect saidiirst named clutch-to permit said spool to rotate as freely as desired,said last named mechanism including an adjustable brake to limit theactuation of said last named mechanism, and means adapted to connectsaid mechanisms on rotation of said spool or said crank eifective to payout line.

15. A clutch for use in connecting the spool of a iishing reel or thelike to the spool rotating shaft, clutch discs slidably splined to theface of said spool, disc engaging members slidably splined on said shaftin desired relation toA said discs, a head on said shaft, a driving gearon said shaft, an axially adjustable nut, a detent in control of saidnut, a spring locked by said nut urging said disc engaging member andsaid discs into interengagement, a lever to disengage said discs andsaid nuts, and means to vary the tension of said spring. Y

16. A clutch for use in connecting the spool of a iishing reel or thelike to the spool rotating shaft, clutch discs slidably splined to theface of said spool, disc engaging members slidably splined on said shaftin desired relation to said discs, a head on said shaft, a driving gearon said shaft, an axially adjustable nut, a detent in lcontrol of saidnut, a spring locked by said nut urging said disc engaging member andsaid discs into interengagement, a lever to disengage said discs andsaid nuts and means to vary the tension of said spring, said meansincluding a rotatable hanged nut engaging member, and a spring adaptedto disengage said nut and said nut engaging member after desiredadjustments.

17. A clutch for use in connecting the spool of a fishing reel or thelike to the spool rotating shaft, said clutch comprising clutch surfacescarried by said spool and engaging means slidably splined on said shaft,a member threaded on said shaft, a spring locked by said member adaptedto carry said clutch into engagement, means to disengage said clutch,and means locking said threaded member in position whereby said clutchconnects said shaft and said spool without pressure between moving andstationary parts.

18. In a shing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a-clutch'adapted to connect said spool aridsaid mechanism, a secondary mechanism adaptedv to affect Asaid clutch topermit said spool to rotate as freelyas desired, means adapted toconnect said mechanisms on rotation of .said spool or said crankeffective to pay out line,and`means to maintain said connection and tohold said crank controlled mechanism motionless until said crank isrotated to reel in said line.

V19. In` a shing reel, a spool for the line, crank controlled mechanismfor rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect said spool, and asecondary mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch, means adapted toconnect said member on rotation of said spool or said crank effective topay outline and to maintain said connection until said crank is rotatedto reel in said line, said last named mechanism including a brake tohold said crank controlled mechanism motionless until manually actuatedand a coiled spring vrto restore said clutch engagement vwhen saidVmechanisms are disconnected.

20. In a fishing reel, a spool for the line, a crank controlledmechanism for rotating said spool, a clutch adapted to connect saidspool and said mechanism, a secondary mechanism adapted to disengagesaid clutch, means adapted to connect said mechanisms on rotation ofsaid spool or said handle to pay out line, said means comprising a pairof rotatable members and one Way clutches adapted to interlock saidmembers,

one of said members being carried'by each of said 'mechanisms, a brakeadapted to hold said Y rotating member in said iirst named mechanismmotionless, a member slidably carried by said rotatable member in saidsecond named mecha- Vnism, said brake and said slidable member hav-Vinginterengaging cam surfaces eiective on connection of said mechanismto lock said slidable member to said brake and to actuate said brake tohold said mechanism motionless, and means to restore said second namedmechanism when said handle isrotated to reel in said line.

tating member in said rst named mechanism motionless, a member slidablycarried by said rotatable member in said second named mechanism, saidbrake and said slidable member having in- `terengaging cam surfaceseffective on connection of said mechanisms to lock said slidable memberto said brake and to actuate said brake to hold said mechanismsmotionless, means to restore said second named mechanism when saidhandle is rotated to reel in said line, and means togadjust saidslidable member to permit said cam interlock to be effected as desiredwhereby said second named mechanism will control said main clutch asdesired.

WILLIAM G. LA PIERRE.

